Walking Tacos

Ingredients:

1 lb Ground Beef or Turkey 70-80% lean

1 tbsp Chili Powder

½ tsp Salt

¾ tsp Cumin

½ tsp dried Mexican Oregano

¼ tsp Garlic Powder

¼ tsp Onion Powder

½ cup Tomato Sauce or Ketchup

 

Cheese Doritos (large bag or small snack bags)

Shredded Lettuce

Sour Cream

Shredded Cheese

Salsa

Sliced Olives

Diced Tomatos

Ranch

Beans (optional)

Directions: 

1. Brown ground beef then season with chili powder, salt cumin, oregano, garlic, onion and tomato sauce.  

2. Prepare other toppings.

3. Start with Doritos, slightly crush in bag or bowl, top with ground beef and other toppings.  Mix together and enjoy!

From Sierra

 

Overnight Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

INGREDIENTS:

 12 to 16 ounces breakfast sausage (see note)

 1 cup small diced bell peppers (any color)

 1/2 cup small diced onion

 6 large eggs (see note)

 1 cup milk

 1/2 cup sour cream

 1/2 teaspoon salt

 Pinch of black pepper

 24 ounces (about 6 cups) frozen tater tots

 1 cup (4 ounces) grated cheddar cheese

 1 cup (4 ounces) grated Monterey Jack cheese

 Chopped green onion or chives, for garnish (optional)

 Sour cream and salsa, for serving (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, peppers and onions, crumbling the sausage into small pieces as it cooks, until it is no longer pink and cooked through and the veggies are tender. Drain the grease (you can let the sausage/veggies hang out in the skillet for a minute or remove them to a plate).
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sour cream, salt and pepper until smooth.
3. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking pan. Place the tater tots in a single layer across the bottom of the pan. (Use only as many tater tots as will fit in a single layer).
4. Sprinkle sausage over the tater tots followed by the veggies. Sprinkle cheese evenly across the top.
5. Pour the egg mixture evenly over and across the top. Cover the dish with lightly greased foil and refrigerate (overnight, up to 18 hours). OR you can bake it right away. The tater tots won't break down quite as much, but it is still delicious.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake covered for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 20-25 minutes longer until golden, bubbly, and set. Check to make sure the middles is baked. Sprinkle with green onions or chives, if using. Serve warm.

NOTES:

Sausage/Meat: this recipe is super adaptable to changing what kind of meat you use OR it can easily be left meatless. Chopped ham or cooked bacon would work great, too, in place of the sausage or in addition to.

Eggs: I continue to make this over and over (since posting) and it's easily adaptable to more eggs if you want to increase the quantity (I've done up to 10 large eggs).

PREP TIME: 25 MINUTES 

COOK TIME: 50 MINUTES 

ADDITIONAL TIME: 12 HOURS 

TOTAL TIME: 13 HOURS 15 MINUTES

YIELD: 8 SERVINGS

HTTPS://WWW.MELSKITCHENCAFE.COM/MAKE-AHEAD-OVERNIGHT-TATER-TOT-BREAKFAST-CASSEROLE/

Charcuterie Board

Cheese: 2 oz per person (4 oz per person if this is the only food item)

• Soft Cheese (2-3 types): Brie, Camembert, Cambozola, Burrata, Blue, Fontina, Goat
• Semi Hard (2-3 types): Gouda, White Cheddar, Manchego, Gruyere, Caramelized Onion Cheddar*
• Spreadable Cheese (1): Boursin Garlic Cheese*
• 8 oz Mini Mozzarella Cheese Balls*

Our favorite cheeses: Port Salut (Smith’s), Merlot Bellavitano (Smith’s) and Caramelized Onion (Trader Joe’s)

Meats: 1-2 oz per person (2-4 oz per person if this is the only food item)

• Prosciutto (Combo pack*)
• Gor Pepperoni
• Calabrese 
• Salami

Fruits:

• Grapes
• Kiwi
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Apple
• Pear
• Figs (Dried?)
• Clementines
• Dried Apricots*
• Dried Prunes
• Dark Cherries

Other:

• One Large Board or Flat Platter or Cookie Sheet
• Assorted Crackers*
• Baguette
• Honey
• Jam or Fruit Spread
• Green Olives
• Trail mix - Almond Cashew Chocolate Mix*

*Get at Trader Joe's

Instructions:

1. Gather board, small bowls, appetizer forks, spreaders, cheese knifes.
2. Clean the board or surface and dry thoroughly.
3. Wash and gently pat dry any fruits being used.
4. Unwrap the cheese and meats being used.
5. Slice any cheese and meats that need to be sliced
1. Use some parchment paper or wax paper to protect your board from any grease from the meat or cheeses.
6. Start at the center of the board and arrange items on the board. Try to set contrasting colors and shapes together to create a more visual interest.
7. Have the board ready about 30 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to soften to make easier for spreading.

7 Layer Bean Dip

1-2 Cans of Refried Beans
1 1/2 Cups Sour Cream or Greek Plain Yogurt
1-2 tsp Taco Seasoning
3 Medium Avocados
1/2 Juice of a Lime
Salt
Shredded Cheese
1 Medium/Large Cans of sliced Olives
Green Onions
Tomato's
Chopped Cilantro (optional)

Tortilla Chips

1. In a glass 9x13 dish first layer the refried beans in the bottom.  Mash the avocados and mix in the lime juice.  Salt to taste then layer on top of the beans.
2. Next mix the taco seasoning into the Sour Cream/Yogurt start with 1 tsp and taste if it needs more then add another 1/2 tsp-1 tsp more.  Layer on top of the avocado mixture.
3. Sprinkle the shredded cheese to cover the sour cream.  The rest of topping are optional add Olives, Green Onions, Tomato's and Cilantro.  Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.  Enjoy with tortilla chips. 

Cheesey Fondue

Ingredients:

·       2 cups lightly packed shredded Gruyere cheese (about 8 ounces)

·       1 1/2 cups lightly packed shredded Swiss cheese (about 6 ounces)

·       2 tablespoons cornstarch

·       1 cup low-sodium, good-quality chicken broth

·       1/8 teaspoon lemon juice (don't leave this out! I just gave a quick squeeze of a lemon without properly measuring)

·       1 tablespoon finely minced or pressed garlic

·       1/4 teaspoon ground black or white pepper

·       1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

·       Dash of paprika

Instructions

1.       Place both the shredded Gruyere and Swiss cheeses in a gallon-size resealable bag with the cornstarch and shake until evenly coated.

2.       In a stovetop-safe fondue pot (or in a regular saucepan or electric fondue pot), add the chicken broth, lemon juice, and garlic and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the cheese, a small handful at a time, stirring constantly, but not briskly. It works best to use a wooden spoon and and stir in an S-shaped motion, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot so it doesn't burn.

3.       Once the cheese is melted and begins to just barely simmer, add the remaining spices and move it immediately to the table on the fondue stand with the sterno flame below. It should be the consistency of warm honey. Add more or less cheese for perfect consistency and additional salt and pepper to taste if needed.

4.       Serve with your favorite fondue dippers: steamed broccoli and/or cauliflower, carrots, apples, chicken sausages, bread (and more bread!), lightly sauteed mushrooms, tender potatoes - the options are endless!

Notes

Don't use pre-shredded cheese. It has a very different consistency than what you grate yourself - worth the tiny bit of extra work, I promise!

Yield: 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

From: Mel’s Kitchen Café  https://www.melskitchencafe.com/classic-fondue-recipe/

Mexican Haystacks

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth (if using regular broth, cut down the salt in the recipe)
• 8-ounce can tomato sauce
• 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels (no need to thaw)
• Lime wedges, for serving (optional)

For serving:

• Hot, cooked rice or quinoa 
• lettuce
• sour cream
• cheese
• olives

Directions:

1. In a large 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef or turkey, salt and pepper, and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces, until cooked through. Drain excess grease, if needed.
2. Stir in the paprika, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, oregano, garlic powder and flour. The mixture will be crumbly. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the meat and spices are fragrant and sizzling.
3. Whisking quickly and constantly, slowly add the beef broth and tomato sauce about 1/2 cup at a time, letting the mixture thicken and bubble between additions before adding more.
4. Stir in the back beans and corn. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook 5-7 minutes until thickened.
5. Serve the sauce over rice (or quinoa) with lime wedges and taco toppings of your choice.

From Mels Kitchen Café
https://www.melskitchencafe.com/mexican-haystacks/

Pull-Apart BBQ Chicken Sliders

Ingredients:

• 2 tbps olive oil
• 1 small onion (sliced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 1/2 cups shredded roast chicken
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• 12 dinner Hawaiian rolls
• 12 slices American cheese or cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Coat a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray
2. Add butter, garlic and parsley in a medium bowl and microwave till melted. Set aside.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Cook onions until soft (about 2 minutes).  Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).  Add the chicken, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and BBQ sauce.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Stir to combine and cook until everything is heated through (about 2-3 minutes).
4. Cut the slider buns in half. Place the bottom halves of the slider buns in the baking dish.  Layer half of the cheese on the bottom buns. Top with bbq chicken mixture, then layer with the remainder of the cheese.  Place the top halves of the buns on top.
5. Brush the tops of the buns with the melted garlic parsley butter.  Bake until the cheese melts and everything is warmed through, 10-15 minutes. Serve warm.

Creamy Mac and Cheese with Roasted Panko Parmesan Broccoli

Ingredients

For the Mac and Cheese:

·       1 pound of uncooked macaroni 

·       2 tablespoons butter

·       1 tablespoons Kosher salt

·       1 teaspoon dry mustard

·       ¼ teaspoon cayenne (omit if you don't want the heat)

·       ½ teaspoon garlic powder

·       2 tablespoons cornstarch

·       2 ½ cups water

·       3 cups skim milk, divided

·       2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese

·       1 cup quesadilla cheese (like Cacique Queso Quesadilla cheese or Supremo Queso Chihuahua cheese, can substitute with Monterey Jack)

For the Roasted Panko Parmesan Broccoli:

·       4 cups broccoli florets

·       Olive oil to lightly coat

·       ¼ cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs

·       ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese

·       ½ teaspoon dry Italian seasoning

·       Kosher salt

·       freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Add the macaroni, butter, salt, dry mustard, cayenne, garlic powder, cornstarch, 2 ½ cups of water, and only 2 cups of milk to the pressure cooker pot. Stir well, to incorporate cornstarch.

2.  Secure the lid and turn pressure release knob to a sealed position. Cook at high pressure for half of the pasta package cooking time minus 1 minute. (For example, if cook time is 16 minutes, cook for 7 minutes. If it says 12-13, cook for 6). (Church macaroni noodles cook for 7 minutes.)

3. Preheat oven to 425º F. Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

4. Place broccoli florets in a gallon size resealable bag, drizzle with olive oil, shake to coat. Add panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning; shake to coat. There will be loose crumbs in the bag, which will be sprinkled on top of the finished mac and cheese.

5. Dump broccoli and crumbs onto the prepared baking sheet. Season with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast for 10-15 minutes, watching closely so the crumbs don’t burn.

6.    When cooking is complete, use a quick release. If liquid sprays from valve, close valve, wait 30-60 seconds and try again. If pasta isn’t done, use sauté function to cook with the lid off for 2-3 more minutes.

7.    Select sauté function, add ½ cup of milk (adding another ½ cup, if needed), cheddar, and Quesadilla cheese; stir until melted and creamy.

8.    Serve immediately, topped with the roasted broccoli and extra crumbs.

From Shuana

Squash Casserole

Ingredients:

3 med squash (yellow)

1 Onion chopped

1/3 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Egg, beaten

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Pepper

4 T. Margarine

1 1/2 Cups Bread Crumbs

Directions:

Dice or slice squash then cook with onion in a small amount of salted water until tender.  Drain then add bread crumbs (reserve some to sprinkle on top), cheese, egg, salt, pepper and margarine.  Mix and pour into a casserole dish.  Sprinkle bread crumbs on top then bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  After baked sprinkle the top with cheese.

Chicken Tostados

4 Chicken Breast (can use 5-6 chicken breast)

8 oz. Salsa 

8 oz. Cream Cheese (softened) 

8 oz. Sour Cream 

8 oz. Mixed Mexican cheese 

1 package Tortilla Shells 

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup 

6 oz. Salsa 

 

Cook chicken. Cut into bite sized pieces 

Mix with salsa, sour cream, and cream cheese. 

Fill each of the 10 shells. Roll and arrange in a 9x13 glass dish. 

Mix 6 oz. of salsa with 1 can Cream of Chicken soup 

Pour over shells. Top with cheese. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 mins. 

Lasagna

1-2 boxes of Lasagna Noodles
2 bottles (24 oz each) of Ragu or Prego
2 lbs of Cottage Cheese
4 Eggs
2 lbs Hamburger
3 Tbsp Oregano leaves
3 Tbsp Basil leaves
3 Tbsp Marjoram leaves
Onion chopped
Cheese Mozzarella

Brown hamburger and drain add the chopped onion, oregano, basil, marjoram, salt, pepper and cook.  Take off heat and add sauce.  Add 1/4 of the sauce bottle of water to the mixture.  In a separate bowl combine whip the eggs and then add cottage cheese (add 2 eggs per lb of cottage cheese).

Layer in pan:
-Sauce/meat mixture in bottom
-Noodles
-Sauce
-Cottage Cheese
-Cheese
-Noodles
-Sauce
-Cottage Cheese
-Cheese
-Noodles
-Sauce
-Cheese

Cover with tin foil and bake at 375 for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  Place cook sheet under pan in case if it spills over.  Cook the last 15 minutes uncovered.

Let set for 15 minutes before serving.

Cheese Fondue

Tips:

   1. Make sure everything is prepped before you turn the stove on.  

   2. Don't try and make the fondue in the pot. Do it on the stove first and transfer to the fondue pot after it's prepared.

   3. Do not leave the cheese unattended after you've started - it will either clump, scorch or curdle if you walk away - don't know why, but it always. 

Ingredients:

2 lbs. Grated Cheese (I prefer White Cheddar).

4 Cups Melting Liquid (This can be sparkling cider, or beverage of your choice that starts with a "B" and ends with an "R".)

4 Tbsp. Corn Starch

Hot Sauce to Taste

Garlic Powder to Taste

Directions:

1. Heat the melting liquid over a medium high flame. 

2. Take half of the cheese and toss in a separate bowl with the corn starch. (Keep the rest of the cheese in reserve.) 

3. When the melting liquid is simmering, add the cheese that has been tossed with the corn starch.  

4. Stirring until it has melted and been incorporated.  

5. Add in the rest of the cheese and the hot sauce and garlic powder to your taste preferences.  

6. Never add more cheese until the previous addition has been melted and incorporated.  Bring up to a melting point.  

7. Transfer to a fondue pot over a flame to keep warm. 

8. Stir the pot as necessary to prevent scorching. 

Serves 4 people

Serve with:

Bread

Veggies (Broccoli, Carrots)

Granny Smith Apples

Pretzels 

Tortilla Chips 

Baked Spaghetti

Ingredient:
1 lb. Ground Beef
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
2 (8oz) cans Tomato Sauce
1 1/2 C. Sour Cream
1/2 C. Chopped Green Onions
4 C. Cooked Spaghetti (8 oz uncooked pasta)
Cooking Spray
1 1/3 C (5 oz) Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook the meat in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble.  Drain well and return meat to pan.  Stir in salt, pepper and tomato sauce and bring to a boil.  Combine the sour cream, green onions, and cream cheese in a small bowl and set aside.  Place the noodles in a casserole dish coated with cooking spray.  Spread the sour cream mixture over the noodles then top with the meat mixture.  Sprinkle the top with the shredded cheese.  Cover with tinfoil and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.  (Serves 6 people)

Potato Rounds/Irish Nachos

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 Pounds of potatoes (Cleaned and sliced 1/4 inch thick)
• 2 Tbls Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary leaves (crushed)
• 1/2 tsp Thyme
• Salt & Pepper
• 6 Bacon slices (cooked, drained and crumbled) 
• 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Barbecue Sauce
• Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt (optional)
• Pico de gallo/salsa/diced tomatoes (optional)
• 2 minced Green Onion slices (optional)
• 1 Tbls Chopped Cilantro leaves (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450º. Wash and slice potatoes leaving the skins on.  
2. Put potato slices into a bowl or gallon zip lock bag.  Drizzle olive oil, rosemary and thyme over potatoes and mix to coat the potato slices.  
3. Place the potato slices, in a single layer, onto a baking sheet.  Bake 20 minutes, turn over and bake an additional 20 minutes.
4. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the potato slices with barbecue sauce.  
5. Sprinkle each potato slice with the crumbled bacon and then top with the cheese.  Return to the over and bake 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted.  
6. Sprinkle with green onions and cilantro.  Then serve with sour cream, yogurt and/or salsa/tomatoes.  

Pizza Casserole

1 can Tomato Soup

1 can Cream of Mushroom

1 can Sliced Mushrooms

1 can Tomato Sauce

1 lb. Ground Beef

1 Onion

1/2 pkg of noodles

Cheese

Brown hamburger with the onion.  Cook the noodles.  Combine all ingredients together and place into a 9x13 glass dish.  Top with cheese and cook at 350 for 30 mins.  (Or you can cook it in the microwave.)

Crock Pot Lime Tacos

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. Chicken (breast or tenders)
3 Tbsp. Lime Juice
1 Tbsp. Chili Powered
1 Cup Corn
1 Cup Salsa
1 Cup Black Beans
Tortillas
Sour Cream
Cheese
Lettuce
Tomatoes

Place chicken in the crock pot.  Combine lime juice and chili powder then pour over the chicken.  Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or until chicken is tender.  Remove chicken and cool slightly.  Shred the chicken and stir in corn, salsa and black beans.  Serve on tortillas with sour cream, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.

Hawaiian Haystacks

Ingredients:
Chicken
Cream of Chicken Soup
Chow Mein Noodles
Rice
Olives
Boiled egg
Coconut
Peanuts
Raisins
Crushed Pineapple
Peas
Bacon Bits
Carrots
Cheese

Directions:
Place each ingredient in individual bowls.  Cut Chicken into pieces.  Diluted the cream of chicken soup half way.  Grate the carrots and cheese.  Start with the rice and build your haystack with the ingredients of your choice.  Top it off with heated cream of chicken soup.

Fajitas

Ingredients:
Chicken
Tortilla
Cheese
Onion
Green Pepper
Red Pepper
Tomato or Salsa
Lettuce
Olives
Sour Cream
Fajita Mix
Oil

Directions:
Place 1 Tbsp of oil into a frying pan on med-high heat.  Cut the chicken into bite size pieces and cook the chicken until they are no longer pink inside.  Remove the chicken from the frying pan and saute the peppers and onion.  After the peppers and onions are soft add the chicken back to the frying pan and sprinkle with the fajita mix.  Warm tortillas and add other toppings as desired.

Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Oil

1/2 cup seasoned Bread Crumbs

1/8 cup Flour

1/2 grated Parmesan cheese, divided

4 boneless, skinless Chicken breast halves
1 jar (24 oz.) Spaghetti Sauce

Italian Seasoning

2 cups Mozzarella Cheese
Cooked Linguine or Spaghetti 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Rinse chicken breasts in water. Mix bread crumbs, flour and parmesan cheese in large bowl. Coat both sides of chicken thouroughly in bread crumbs, flour, and parmesan cheese mixture.

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, carefully place chicken breasts in and turn to brown on both sides. Spread a thin layer of the marinara sauce on bottom of baking pan. Drain browned chicken and place on baking pan in a single layer. Pour remaining sauce over chicken. Sprinkle Italian spices, then some parmesan cheese on top.

Bake for 20 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and hot. Take casserole out of oven and turn temperature to broil (500 degrees.)Top entire casserole with the shredded mozzarella to entirely cover so there will be lots of gooey cheese. Sprinkle top of mozzarella with oregano. Put back into oven and broil just until mozzarella is light gold in some areas and bubbling. Watch very carefully as it melts very quickly and you don’t want to burn it! Serve with linguine and extra parmesan cheese.

Chicken Enchilada's

Ingredients:
2-3 cups cooked diced chicken
1 1/2-2 dozen tortillas
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups sour cream
1 small onion (chopped)
1 cup of cheese

Directions:
Sauté chopped onion in a pan until the onion is translucent and soft.  If you don’t the onions will not be cooked and be very strong.  Then add soup, sour cream and chicken mix together.  Heat to boiling.  Put 1/3 cup of mixture into tortilla roll up and place in a greased 9x13 pan cover with remaining mixture and sprinkle with cheese.  Bake at 350 until heated through for 20-30 minutes.